Range control panel assembly



United States Patent inventors Albert L. Baltz Millstadt; Elmer E.Voeke, Belleville, Illinois Applt No. 814,911

Filed April 10, 1969 Patented Sept. 8, 1970 Continuation-impart of Ser.No. 765,394, Oct. 7, 1968, pending.

Assignee Eagle Range 8: Manufacturing Company Belleville, Ill. acorporation of Illinois RANGE CONTROL PANEL ASSEMBLY 13 Claims, 5Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 126/42, 126/214 lnt. Ci. iF24c 3/12 Field of Search 126/42,

{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,472,793 6/1949 Conterno126/42 2,539,840 1/1951 Jones l26/42UX Primary Examiner-Charles J. MyhreAttorney--Cohn and Powell ABSTRACT: The range control panel assemblyincludes an elongate control panel, and inner and outer covers mountedon the panel in telescopic relation to each other. The inner cover isfrictionally held in place at one end of the control panel by a guideplate which overlaps seating lips provided on the inner cover. The outercover is provided with tongues which are slidably engageable withincompatible grooves provided on the control panel. End caps are attachedto each end of the control panel and are adapted to mount the assemblyto a range.

Patented Sept. 8, 1970 3,527,200

W JAN/510251185 70 44 55m 4. 54472 z: x. 1 54/1/56 5. V0566 RANGECONTROL PANEL ASSEMBLY CROSS REFERENCETO RELATED APPLICATION Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 765,394,filed October 7, 1968.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to gas andelectric ranges and particularly to a cover assembly for the rangecontrol knobs.

The control knobs on gas and electric ranges are usually attached toburner control stems which project directly from the frame of the range.This arrangement discourages the provision of any form of cover for thecontrol knobs because such a cover would, of necessity, requireattachment directly to the range frame or the paneling of the rangeframe.

Attachment ofa cover directly to the range body is a disadvantagebecause it entails the expensive adaptation of the range to suit thecontrol panel since the cover must include hinges or tracks connecteddirectly to the range frame.

Ideally, efficient control panel covers can serve several purposes.Obviously, they provide concealment of the control knobs. Suchconcealment not only enhances the appearance of the range unit as awhole, but also protects the control knobs from becoming coated withgrease in cooking, overflow matter and the like. At least as important,the covering of the control knobs includes unintentional actuation byinadvertent body contact when the range is not in use. In addition,children are discouraged from playing with the control knobs when theyare concealed.

Covers which are hinged do not meet this ideal criteria because theyproject outwardly from the range unit in the open position, and thisfeature is obviously objectionable because of the likelihood that thecover itself will provide an obstruction extending beyond the definedlimits of the range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The control panel covers of this device areattached to a detachable control panel which is mounted on the range(gas or electric) by means ofend closure caps.

The covers are disposed in telescopic relation to each other, one of thecovers being essentially fixed yet removable without the necessity ofdisconnecting fasteners. The other cover is slidable, relative to thefixed cover to conceal the control knobs which are located on adifferent portion of the control panel. When the slidable cover is inthe closed position, the control knobs are concealed from view andcannot be unintentionally actuated.

The control panel assembly includes a control knob panel having closureend caps attached thereto and adapted to mount the panel to the range.lnterfitting first and second substantially U-shaped covers are disposedover the panel, the second cover being movable relative to the first.

The control panel includes a downwardly depending leg, an inwardlyprojecting leg and an intermediate body portion therebetween, angularlyrelated to said legs and integrally formed therewith. A pair oflaterally spaced, longitudinal grooves is disposed at the juncture ofthe legs and body portion of the panel.

A guide plate extends laterally across the panel and is attachedthereto, the guide plate including opposed peripheral elements spacedfrom the panel and providing laterally spaced longitudinal recesses.

The first cover includes inwardly projecting elongate lips. The secondcover includes inwardly projecting elongate tongues. The lips of thefirst cover seal said cover on the control panel, and each of theperipheral elements of the guide plate overlap an associated lip toretain said cover in place. The tongues of the second cover are slidablyreceived in the elongate grooves ofthe control panel.

The first and second covers have a compatible shape, and each includesopposed, downwardly depending legs. The lips and tongues of the firstand second covers respectively are located at the remote end of thelegs.

In one embodiment, the peripheral edges of the guide plate are spacedfrom the control panel so as to hold the lips of the first cover infrictional engagement against the face of the control panel. In anotherembodiment, the peripheral element of the guide plates includesubstantially parallel edge portions, longitudinally aligned with thefirst cover and spaced to operatively spring the legs of the first coverand provide frictional engagement between said edge portions and thelegs of the first cover. Either of these arrangements, or a combinationof both, suffices to hold the first cover in frictional engagement withthe panel so that the cover is fixed, though not, fastener attached, tothe control panel.

The junction between the inwardly projecting leg and the intermediatebody portion of the panel includes a shoulder in which one groove islocated. The downwardly depending leg of the panel provides a face inwhich the other elongate groove is located. The tongues of the secondcover project inwardly, substantially horizontally, whereby to ride inthe grooves.

The end caps include inner and outer portions interfitting with respectto each other to conceal the connection of the end caps both to thepanel and to the range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspectiveview of the control panel assembly mounted on the range;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view as taken through the controlpanel assembly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partly exploded view of the control panelassembly, illustrating the cover guide plates and the end cap mounting;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofa modified guide plate; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the interrelationship betweenthe inner cover and the modified guide plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by characters ofreference to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, it will be understoodthat the control panel assembly, generally indicated by numeral 10, ismounted on a range 11. The range 11 may be of gas or electric type andmay be of more or less conventional construction except for the controlpanel assembly 10.

As shown in the cross section, FIG. 2, taken through the principal partsof the control panel assembly 10, the assembly 10 includes a controlpanel 12 carried by end caps 13 and 14, which are mounted to the range11. Inner and outer covers 17 and 18, constituting first and secondcovers respectively, are disposed in sliding relation to each other toconceal the control knobs 16 disposed on the panel 12. The knobs 16 areconnected by stems 15 to the burner controls generally indicated bynumeral 19.

The control panel 12 includes a downwardly depending leg 20 and aninwardly projecting leg 21. An intermediate body portion 22 extendsbetween and is angularly related to the legs 20 and 21, the legs 20 and21 and the intermediate body portion 22 being integrally formed.

Parallel elongate grooves 23 and 24 are formed in the con trol panel 12at substantially the juncture of the legs 20 and 21 with theintermediate body portion 22. A shoulder 25 is provided at the junctureof leg 21 and the body portion 22. The groove 23, which is substantiallyhorizontal, is formed in the shoulder 25. The groove 24, alsosubstantially horizontal, is formed in the outer face of the downwardlydepending legs 20, the upper portion of which, at the juncture of theleg 20 and body portion 22 also constitutes a shoulder. The grooves 23and 24 run longitudinally of the length of the control panel 12.

The inner and outer covers 17 and 18 have a substantially U-shapedconfiguration to facilitate the nested, telescopic relation thereof, andeach includes opposed substantially vertical, resilient legs 26, 27 and28, 29 respectively. Each vertical leg of the inner cover 17 is providedwith inwardly projecting lips at its remote end. Each vertical leg ofthe outer cover 18 is provided with inwardly projecting tongues at itsremote end. The inner cover lips 30 and 31 areangularly related and seatthe inner cover 17 on the intermediate body portion 22 of the controlpanel 12.

A pair of guide plates 32, constituting guide means each extendslaterally of and overlies the control panel 12. Each plate 32 includes apair of opposed peripheral elements 33 and 34 overlapping associatedlips 30 and 31 respectively. The peripheral elements 33 and 34 includeassociated edge portions 35 and 36respectively. The plates 32 areattached to the intermediate body portion 22 by means of fasteners 37. Apair of dimples 40 is provided on the underside of each guide plate 32,the dimples 40 constituting spacer means. Thus spaced, the peripheralelements 33 and 34 provide a pair of substantially parallel recessesdisposed longitudinally of the panel 12. The size of the recesses may beadjusted by tightening the fastener 37 and spacing the peripheralelements 33 and 34 a sufficient distance from the body portion 22 sothat the projecting lips 30 and 31 of the inner cover 17 may be"received within the recesses in pressure engagement to seat said lips 30and 31 on the panel 12. The recesses may be initially slightly narrowerthan the width of the lips 30 and 31 received therein, and theperipheral elements 33 and 34 may be sprung to accommodate the lips 30and 31. With the bearing dimples 40 arranged centrally as shown, theguide plates 32 may also be tilted slightly to receive the lips 30 and31. As a practical matter, a slight distortion of the lips 30 and 31along their length will allow the lips 30 and 31 to be fed into therecesses, yet be firmly held in place.

In the preferred embodiment, the opposed edge portions 35 and 36 arespaced apart sufficiently to permit springing of the inner cover legs 26and 27. When the edge portions 35 and 36 of the plate 32 are thus spacedapart a greater distance than the unsprung distance between the U-shapedlegs 26, 27 at the line of engagement between the guide plate 32 and thecover 17, the legs 26, 27 are operatively held in pressure engagementwith the edge portions 35 and 36 and hence with the guide plate 32.

An alternative guide plate which provides this springing feature isindicated in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this modification, a single guide plate41 is provided, which includes a substantially flat intermediate seatingportion 42 and opposed peripheral portions 43 angularly inclinedrelative to the seating portion 42. A pair of fasteners 44 attaches theguide plate 41 in overlying relation to the body portion 22 of thecontrol panel 12. Preferably, the peripheral portions 43 are cut back toprovide engaging edge portions 44 at each end of the guide plate 41,rather than having such edges running continuously along the length ofthe guide plate 41. In effect, the angular relationship between theperipheral portions 43 and the seating portion 42 results in the seatingportion 42 becoming a substitute for the spacer dimples 40 in the otherembodiment. It will be clear that the peripheral portions 43 might alsobe joggled to achieve substantially the same effect.

The guide plate or plates are intended to provide a means of holding theinner cover 17 by pressure contact, in a substantially fixed positionrelative to the control panel 12 without direct connection by fasteners.

The outer cover tongues 50 and 51 are substantially horizontallydisposed and slidably engage associated horizontal grooves 23 and 24.The outer cover 18 is spaced slightly from the inner cover 17 andembracingly disposed in telescopic relation therewith. Because of thesliding engagement of the tongues 50 and 51 within associated grooves 23and 24, the cover 18 may be pulled by means ofa pull-knob 52'selectivelyacross the display area 46 to conceal the control panel completely inconjunction with the inner cover 17.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be understood that the control panelassembly includes a pair of end caps 13 and 14 constituting a mountingmeans. These caps 13 and 14 are substantially similar, but oppositelyformed. A description of end cap 13 will therefore serve for the otherend cap 14. End cap 13 provides a closure means for the control panelassembly 10 and, importantly, a means of mounting the assembly 10 to the'65 registrable with the open screw sockets 60. This arrangement permitsthe attachment of each cap portion 61 to the control panel 12. When eachinner cap portion 61 has been secured to the panel 12, the outer capportion 62 may be attached to the associated inner cap portion 61. Whenthis attachment has been effectuated, the control panel assembly 10,including the end caps 13 and 14, may be mounted to the range support30. This mounting is accomplished by placing the threaded apertures 66,provided in the far side of the inner portion 61 in register withenlarged associated apertures 67 in the far side of the outer capportion 62, and then aligning these in-register apertures 66-67 with theapertures 68 provided on the range 11. Apertures 66 and 67 are broughtinto register by moving the outer cap portion 62 in the direction of thearrow in FIG. 3.

The downwardly depending leg 20 includes an elongate recess 70 whichaccommodates and receives a decorative plate 71. In the preferredembodiment, the control panel 12 is constructed of extruded aluminum.

It is thought that the functional advantages of this control panel coverassembly have become fully apparent from the foregoing description ofparts, but for completeness of disclosure, the installation of theassembly 10 will be briefly described.

The inner cover 17 and the outer cover 18 are preferably substantiallythe same length with a slight overlap longitudinally, so that no gapexists when these two covers are in the closed position. The guideplates 32 are attached to the body portion 22 of the panel 12 such thatthe plates 32 are located on the panel 12 within the length of the innercover 17 in the installed position. When the guide plates 32 areattached to the control panel 12, there is a recess formed by the spacebetween the peripheral edges 33 and the upper face of the control panel12. This recess is such that the lips 30 and 31 of the inner cover 17may be received in frictional engagement within the recesses. Thepressure engagement between these surfaces is such that an operator may,by using sufficient force, push the lips 30 and 31 of the cover 17 underthe guide plates 32 into an installed, substantially fixed position atthe end of the panel 12. The width of the plates 32 between the edges 35and 36 is such that the inner cover 17 is sprung outwardly slightly, andthe resilient nature of the sheet material forming the cover 17 is suchthat the length of the cover 17 engages the bearing edges 33 and 34 withsufficient force to provide pressure contact between the guide plates 32and the cover 17 tending to frictionally retain the cover 17 on thecontrol panel.

The outer cover 18 may be emplaced before or after the end caps 13 and14 are fitted. If the end caps 13 and 14 are in place, the outer cover18 may be sprung open over the inner cover 17 and the elongate tongues50 and 51 interfitted within the associated grooves 23 and 24 providedfor them on the control panel 12. If the end caps 13 and 14 are not inplace, then the outer cover 18 may simply be threaded into position.

The end caps 13 are mounted by first interconnecting the inner capportion 61 by means of threaded fasteners passing through the apertures65 into the socket portions 60 disposed in the control panel 12. Theouter fascia cap portion 62 may then be slipped into place and theassembly, as a whole, is ready for mounting on the range 11. This isaccomplished by aligning the apertures 68 on the range with thecorresponding. apertures 66 and 67 in the inner and outer covers 17 and18 respectively, and by means of threaded fasteners mounting theassembly as a whole to the range 11. It will be understood that the endcaps 13 and 14 act as stops for the covers 17 and 18.

With the arrangement as described, it is particularly easy to remove thecovers 17 and 18, even though the assembly as a whole is installed on arange. Such removal is accomplished by springing the leg of the outercover 18 lifting it clear of the inner cover 17. By applying sufficientforce, the inner cover 17 may be pulled longitudinally away from theguide plate 32.

When such movement is accomplished, the inner cover 17 may be simplylifted free of the range.

We claim:

1, A control panel cover assembly for a range, comprising:

a. a control panel including substantially parallel elongate groovesdisposed longitudinally of the panel;

b. a first substantially U-shaped cover including inwardly projectinglips;

c. guide means attached to the panel and including at least oneperipheral element spaced from the panel, the peripheral elementoverlapping an adjacent lip of the U- shaped cover to retain the coveron the panel, the guide means and the first cover having a pressurecontact therebetween tending to retain said first cover on the panel;

d. a second substantially U-shaped cover disposed in lapped, movablerelation to the first cover and including substantially parallelelongate tongues slidably engaging associated grooves on the panel; andmounting means mounting the panel to the range.

A cover assembly as defined in claim 1, in which:

the guide means includes a plate extending laterally ofthe panel andproviding a pair of opposed peripheral elements; and the peripheralelements are spaced outwardly from the panel to provide substantiallyparallel recesses disposed longitudinally of the panel, the recessesreceiving the projecting lips of the first cover in pressure engagementbetween the peripheral elements and the panel to seat the lips on thepanel,

. A cover assembly as defined in claim 1, in which:

the guide means includes a plate extending laterally ofthe control paneland providing a pair of opposed peripheral elements; the peripheralelements include associated edge portions engaging the legs ofthe firstU-shaped cover; and

the edge portions of the plates being spaced apart a greater distancethan the unsprung U-shaped legs at the engagement surface between theedge portions and the cover, whereby the legs are operatively disposedin pressure engagement with said edge portions.

A cover assembly as defined in claim 2, in which:

. the plate includes spacer means disposed inwardly of the peripheralelements and seating the plate on the control panel,

. A cover assembly as defined in claim 3, in which:

. the plate includes a seating portion disposed between the peripheralelements and seating the plate on the panel; and

j. the peripheral elements are angularly inclined relative to theseating portion.

. A cover assembly as defined in claim 1, in which:

the panel includes a downwardly depending leg, an inwardly projectingleg and an intermediate body portion angularly related to said legs andintegrally formed therewith; and

. the lips of the first cover overlie the body portion of the panel andseat the cover thereon.

. A cover assembly as defined in claim 1, in which:

the panel includes spaced shoulders and an intermediate body portionbetween the shoulders, the body portion being angularly related to theshoulders;

g. the grooves are disposed transversely ol'the shoulders;

h. the first cover includes a pair ot'suhstantially vertical legs,

the inwardly projecting lips are provided substantially at r ng-n theremote end of the cover legs, the lips seating the cover on the bodyportion; and 1. the second cover includes a pair of substantiallyvertical legs, the tongues being provided at the remote ends ofthe lastsaid legs.

8. A cover assembly as defined in claim 7, in which:

j. the panel includes a downwardly depending leg and an inwardlyprojecting leg;

k. the shoulders are provided at the junction of the inwardly projectingleg and the intermediate body portion of the panel; and

l. the grooves in the shoulders are substantially horizontal.

9. A cover assembly as defined in claim 1, in which:

f. the mounting means includes a pair of opposed end caps carrying thepanel and adapted to be attached to the range.

10. A control panel assembly for a range, comprising:

a. an elongate control panel including a downwardly depending leg, aninwardly projecting leg and an intermediate body portion therebetweenangularly related to the legs and integrally formed therewith, the panelincluding a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally aligned grooves;

. a first substantially Ushaped cover including a pair of opposeddownwardly depending legs, each leg having an inwardly projecting lip atthe remote end seating the cover on the panel to cover at least part ofthe body portion of the control panel;

c. guide means attached to the panel and including a guide plateoverlying the body portion of the panel, the guide plate including amedian portion attached to the body portion, and a pair of substantiallyparallel peripheral elements adjacent the median portion andsubstantially longitudinally aligned with the panel, each of theperipheral elements being spaced from the panel to operatively overlapan associated lip of the first cover, whereby to retain the cover inseated relation on the panel, pressure Contact between the peripheralelements and the legs of the cover tending to retain the cover in fixedrelation to one portion of the panel;

d. a second substantially U-shaped cover having a compatibleconfiguration with the first cover and being embracingly disposed intelescopic relation therewith, the second cover including a pair ofsubstantially parallel elongate tongues slidably engaging associatedgrooves on the panel to selectively cover another portion of the panel;and

e. mounting means mounts the panel to the range.

11. A cover assembly as defined in claim 10, in which:

f. the peripheral elements of the plate include opposed substantiallyparallel edge portions longitudinally aligned with the first cover andspaced to operatively spring the legs of the first cover whereby toprovide the pressure contact between the peripheral elements and thelegs.

12. A cover assembly as defined in claim 10, in which:

f. the mounting means includes a pair of opposed end caps,

each end cap including inner and outer interfitting portions, the innerportion connecting the panel to the range and the outer portionsconcealing the connection and providing a closure.

l3. A cover assembly as defined in claim 10, in which:

f. the junction between the inwardly projecting leg and the body portionof the panel includes a shoulder incorporating one of said grooves;

g. the downwardly depending leg of the panel provides a second shoulderincorporating the other of said grooves; and

h. each of said grooves being substantially horizontally disposed withinsaid shoulders and the elongate tongues being substantially horizontalto seat the second cover in said grooves.

